THE FOCUS OF THE CRP
While it is recognized that, within an integrated approach, the above three
topic areas have to brought together to ensure the long-term integrity
of impoundments, the main emphasis of the present CRP, however, will be
on the technological aspects and the design aspects as relevant for the
development of appropriate technologies.
The influence of institutional, legal, management and socio-economic
aspects on decision making in remediation/restoration projects and the
problem of site and source-term characterization is being addressed by
other IAEA projects, while the environmental issues in uranium mining and
milling in general are discussed in a joint OECD/IAEA report to be published
shortly.
It is expected that this CRP will contribute to the transfer of technologies
and know-how within the international (uranium) mining/milling, waste disposal
and contaminated land communities. The specific problems arising from the
properties of relevant radionuclides and the properties of tailing materials
have to be addressed. Special emphasis will be given to the development
of innovative methods and techniques for stabilization.
The scope and topics of the expected proposals will also illustrate
to the IAEA where Member States perceive their greatest deficit of knowledge
to be and their need for action.
The objective of the proposed CRP is to encourage the sharing of practical
experience (adaptive research) and (applied) R&D work by Member States
on topics relevant to the long term stabilization/isolation of mill tailings.